I’ve spent the past few years casually contemplating a career change. It’s not that I’m terribly unhappy doing what I do, but I’m not sure it’s what I see myself doing for the rest of my life. When people hear this and ask what I want to do, I honestly don’t have an answer for them, mostly because I just don’t know.
I’m torn between having a pretty flexible job that pays my bills, or investing time (and money) into learning something new that interests me more. How can I fit more educational debt into my budget when I already feel like I’m at my limit? Luckily, there are a number of options that I’ve come across that have allowed me to further explore potential new career paths, and they won’t destroy my budget (while some of them won’t even affect my bank account!). If you’re looking to continue your education without spending a fortune, check out some of these ideas and see if any of them can take you where you want to go.
Check your local community college. Looking to try something new and different? Many community colleges offer classes to the public for a minimal fee, and they often have no prerequisites. Meet up with others who are interested in learning more about the same things that interest you, and it could turn into something more than a hobby. These classes don’t require too much of a time commitment, and you’ll gain valuable experience in a new field.
Take advantage of on-line courses. A number of big-name schools offer free on-line courses available to anyone. I know from personal experience – blogger by night, Carnegie Mellon University employee by day! Learn more about their Open Learning Initiative here. iTunesU also offers a ton of courses in just about any subject you can think of.
Seek out any available financial assistance. Check with the human resources department where you work. If you’re looking to advance your career status by getting a related higher degree, you could get tuition reimbursement. A number of companies offer similar benefits simply to promote well-roundedness in their employees.
Visit your local library. If you’re just looking to learn a little more background information on a particular subject, you can always find an abundance of information and resources at the library. Spend a rainy day doing a little research and see if it’s something worth pursuing further before you make a financial commitment.
Consider other options. We put together a list of 22 ways to make money without going back to school. It’s possible you may not need any more formal education to pursue a new fulfilling career.
